Mysore/Mysuru: Guest Lecturers, under the banner of Karnataka State Guest Lecturers/Guest Teachers Horata Samithi and All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO), urging the Government to release their pending salaries and announce a special relief package for them, staged a protest near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Thursday morning.

Stating that there were 14,564 Guest Lecturers working in 413 First Grade Colleges in the State, they said that the University Grants Commission (UGC) in January 2019, issued a circular stating that Rs. 1,500 be paid per teaching hour or Rs. 50,000 per month as salary to a Guest Lecturer, but still the Guest Lecturers who have completed their NET, K-SET or Ph.D are being paid just Rs. 13,000 per month and the remaining are paid Rs. 11,000 per month. Also, some Guest Teachers are being paid Rs. 7,500 per month, they said and added that they have not received salaries since five months.

Stating that it was very difficult to lead life with such a meagre salary, especially at the time of COVID-19 pandemic, they urged the Government to release a special COVID relief package to them.

AIDYO State President Umadevi, District Secretary T.R. Sunil, Guest Lecturers Ramanna, Mahadevaiah, Ravindra and others were present.